04/09/2008, 5:25pm, EDT

Wednesday, April 9th

Microsoft labels Yahoo/Google deal monopoly

Microsoft tonight quickly responded to Yahoo's Google ad trial, attacking the deal as a potential move towards a monopoly. The Windows developer argues that any more permanent agreement would place "over 90%" of all search ads under Google's control and would shut out attempts by other firms to offer alternatives. Microsoft says that its own proposed takeover would be more beneficial by establishing a second major search ad provider.

"This would make the market far less competitive, in sharp contrast to our own proposal to acquire Yahoo," Microsoft claims. "We will assess closely all of our options. Our proposal remains the only alternative put forward that offers Yahoo! shareholders full and fair value for their shares, gives every shareholder a vote on the future of the company, and enhances choice."

Yahoo has just recently rebuffed some of these arguments in a letter rejecting Microsoft's ultimatum. The former company's earlier statement accuses Microsoft of ignoring changes in share value that make Yahoo more worthwhile and dishonestly claiming that takeover offers were made as a friendly gesture.

Filed under: industry
Other story tags: Microsoft, Google, Yahoo

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MacnTX

Yep

04/09, 5:35pm, EDT

If anybody knows what a monopoly is, it's definitely Microsoft...

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dlstarr7

Mmm

04/09, 5:41pm, EDT

Having a monopoly is not illegal. It's using that monopoly power to forward their agenda and smash competition. Like MS did with Netscape.

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64stang06

Ballmer...

04/09, 5:46pm, EDT

...needs to leave. Who cares if Yahoo/Google is a monopoly; they're not using their power to harm the competition, unlike IE vs Netscape.

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Beechlady

We can't have them.....

04/09, 5:49pm, EDT

so everyone else is WRONG! What a bunch of near sighted cry babies......waaaah.

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Sabon

No problem, AFTER M$

04/09, 5:54pm, EDT

{quote}he Windows developer argues that any more permanent agreement would place "over 90%" of all search ads under Google's control and would shut out attempts by other firms to offer alternatives.{quote}

No problem, AFTER Microsoft's monopoly is broken up. Obviously anything over 90% is bad. Then Microsoft is bad and something should be done about them first.

First all the contracts with the OEMs need to be further refined to eliminate any language that change financial "offerings" from Microsoft for advertising to the OEMs if they start installing any other OS on computers other than theirs.

ONCE that happens and Linux is as easy to get on ALL Dell, HP, etc., computers, then Microsoft can come back and talk about other companies and monopolies. At that point it wouldn't bother me one bit.

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climacs

pot -> kettle

04/09, 5:56pm, EDT

"you're black!"

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010111

awww...

04/09, 6:09pm, EDT

Yahoo didn't want to play with Microsoft so now Microsoft is going to take their ball and go home to pout. Boo hoo.

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ClevelandAdv

Monopoly

04/09, 9:30pm, EDT

Ballmer should stick to his own monopoly as they are not doing so well under his leadership. Maybe he should grab the little dog some fake cash and the pile of chance cards and see if he can land on Park Place. Then he can get Yahoo to land on it after he buys a hotel that'll teach em!

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Ashari

poooooor Microsoft

04/10, 6:25am, EDT

Make sure and stomp your feet and pout your bottom lip, Ballmer.

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nat

choice?